| Baptists
> Distinctives > Biblical Authority |
You
Are Visitor
|
 |
"Sola
Scripturea"
It's
Latin and it means that we hold to the "Scriptures only" as our sole rule
of faith and practice. |
THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES
The fundamental doctrine
that forms the basis of the Baptist belief system is that of the Scriptures
being the one and only authoritative source of truth revealed by God.
All Baptists agree on this foundational cornerstone of their faith.
"Sola scriptura"
In stark contrast to the
Roman Catholic view of placing tradition above the Word of God, Bible believing
Baptists at the opposite end of the spectrum with the Protestant denominations
falling wherever they may in between.
Furthermore, creeds hold
little significance, although, they might contain the truths of God.
Even a statement of faith is arguable and may be changed as any independent
congregation has the right to do. Let all men's interpretations of
Scripture be suspect, especially those as seen through unregenerated eyes.
Only the Scriptures as they stand will do. You will never ever talk
a Baptist out of the supremecy of the Scriptures in all things as their
sole rule of faith. Of that you can be absolutely sure. |
"For the word
of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit
and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 |
THE INERRENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Biblical inerrancy is
a common position held by fundamentalist Baptists. The view that
the Bible is to be understood in literal terms is also woven into the fabric
of the fundamentalists. However, due to the varied cross-sections
of governmental rule in our churches, those who do not identify themselves
as being fundamentalist prefer the term inspired ("God breathed") rather
than literalism to describe scripture.
This recognized variation
between the more conservative and moderate groups has created tension and
sometimes in-fighting between them. Nevertheless, in contrast to
most Protestant denominations and especially Roman Catholocism, even the
moderate Baptists can only be desribed as Bible believers in every sense
of the term.
It is their total reliance
on the Scriptures that gives rise to every other doctrine, destinctive,
and rule of practice that places them under the same banner. They
are not only joined at the hip but at the heart and soul, whether they
care to admit it or not. |
"All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
~ 2nd Timothy 3:16 |
THE SAVIOUR OF THE SCRIPTURES
Now comes an even more intriguing
insight into the Baptist mindset.
The Scriptures clearly state
that Jesus is the Word and that the Word is Jesus. Both are One in
the same. Therefore, to place one's faith in either is to do so with
both. They are inseperable.
Therefore, this doctrine
concludes that all Scripture points toward the Saviour, whether that be
the Old Testament in prophesying His coming, the Gospels in telling His
story, or the New Testament in declaring His Salvation and someday return
to call away His church.
The Scriptures are "His-story."
That is what the Bible says. |
| "And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." ~ John
1:14 |
 |
-
|
| Slippage Questions: The
Authority of the Scriptures
"Therefore
we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,
lest at any time we should let them slip." ~ Hebrews 2:1 |
|
|
| Does the church you attend
or any organization to which you belong place any other writings of man
above or even equal to the Word of God? |
| Do church creeds, tradition,
liturgy, or any other form of religious expression take presidence over
the Bible in your spiritual life? |
| If so, how do you justify
placing the Bible in a secondary postion in your life? |
| Are you convinced that the
Bible is the inspired Word of God and is, therefore, to be understood literally
as it contains no errors whatsoever? |
| Do you rely upon the clergy
to interpret the Word of God to you or do you read it yourself and let
God speak to you through it? |
| Are you convinced that God
is able to keep his Word preserved and that the Bible is His revelation
of Himself to manking? |
| Would you be willing to separate
yourself from any Christian denomination that minimizes the authority of
God's Word and find a fellowship of believers who honor it as it ought
to be? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
